Stretchable Notebook Computer Case

ABSTRACT

A stretchable storage case is provided that is adapted to receive an electronic device. More specifically, a stretchable storage case comprising resiliently deflectable panels is provided that is adapted to selectively deflect to receive various electronic devices and conform thereto.

This application is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. Design patentapplication Ser. No. 29/297,025, filed Nov. 1, 2007, the entiredisclosure of which being incorporated be reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention are generally related to protectivestorage devices. More specifically, one embodiment of the presentinvention is a storage case for a notebook computer.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Often, it is desirable to protect delicate electronic devices due totheir fragile nature. Thus it is common to provide protective storagecases comprised of rigid or compliant material. The cases of the priorart are of a fixed size, however. Storage cases is of the prior art aredesigned to prevent shock loads from damaging the stored device. It isalso desirable to protect stored electronic devices from debris, water,etc. Further, it is often desirable to construct cases in a manner tomake them less bulky and conforming, thereby facilitating storage andtransport.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,305,538 to Jackson (“Jackson”), entitled “ProtectiveCasing Having an Improved Closure”, which is incorporated by referencein its entirety herein, discloses a compliant case. More specifically,Jackson discloses a conformable case made of a resilient material forthe receipt of a fragile item, such as a pair of binoculars. The case ofJackson is adapted to selectively stretch to allow insertion of thedevice to be stored. After insertion, the Jackson case conforms to theitem stored therein. Jackson, however, requires that a portion of thecase be shaped similar to the articles to be stored, thus limiting thetype of device to be stored within the case. In addition, Jacksondiscloses a storage case that remains opened after the item is stored,which exposes the stored electronic device. Another drawback of Jacksonis that portions of the case are permanently shaped as the item to bestored, which makes packaging and storage difficult.

Thus, it is a long felt need to provide a storage case that is adaptedto receive objects of various sizes and completely cover them in aconforming manner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is one aspect of the present invention to provide a stretchable casefor a square or rectangular object, such as a notebook computer. Thecase, preferably includes interconnected front and back panels. At leastone of the front panel or the back panel includes an opening thatprovides selection access into a storage area of the case that isdefined by the front panel and the back panel. In one embodiment theopening is disposed between an upper front panel and a lower frontpanel. The upper and lower front panels may each include flaps thatoverlap when the opening is closed to generally seal the case. Theperimeter of the opening may include a lining, which distinguishes theopening from the remainder of the case. Further, the case may bereversible, wherein the inside surface of the front and/or back panelsmay possess different surface texture, color, etc.

It is still yet another aspect of the present invention to provide acase made of a compliant material, that conforms to the shape of andsize of the items stored. Materials of this type by their very natureare often shock resistant, thereby helping to protect the stored item.It is further contemplated that additional shock absorption orcushioning materials be added to the case to enhance the protectionprovided by the storage case. As will be appreciated, compliantmaterials are water resistant, which enhance the protective nature ofthe storage case.

It is still yet another aspect of the present invention to provide astorage case that is suited to accommodate various types of electronicdevices. More specifically, the device of embodiments of the presentinvention are adapted to be selectively scaled in size and shape toaccommodate computers, MP3 players, CD players, tape players, cellphones, I-pods, and any other electronic device. The invention describedherein is not necessarily limited to electronic devices wherein one ofskill in the art will appreciate that other devices or items, such askeys, cigarettes, credit cards, mirrors, make-up, etc. maybeaccommodated by a flexible storage case that is adapted to conform tothe items stored therein.

It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a storage casethat is aesthetically pleasing. More specifically, embodiments of thepresent invention are, due to their material of manufacture, well suitedfor the addition of indicia or company logos, for example. Further,embodiments of the present invention include a slot or other means thataccept pictures, photographs, business cards or other items to allowuser to selectively customize the storage case.

It is yet another aspect of the present invention to provide a storagecase that has a selectively openable flap that may be configured tovarious shapes. It is preferred that the flap be suited to prevent fluidand/or debris from entering into the storage area. However, one skilledin the art will appreciate that other shapes may be used. For example,one embodiment of the present invention employs a flap that includesrepresentations of teeth. The remainder of the storage case may befashioned as an animal, wherein items such as ears or simulated fur maybe added to the case thereby making it appeal to children.

It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a storage casethat is water resistant or water proof. More specifically, as brieflymentioned above, the flap may be fastened to the body of a case via aziploc, buttons, snaps or other members that will maintain the flapclosed and prevent water and/or debris from entering into the storagearea of the case.

It is still yet another aspect of the present invention to provide astorage case that has rigid or semi-rigid portions. One embodiment ofthe present invention includes an external surface (or an internalsurface) that is made of a rigid material that protects the itemsstored. The rigid material may be metal, hard plastic, composites, orany similar material. The rigid material may be added directly onto theflexible material or in place thereof where flexible material isintegrated thereto.

It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a flexiblestorage case with auxiliary storage. More specifically, embodiments ofthe present invention provide a flexible storage case that includes theaddition of auxiliary storage pockets integrated into the inside and/oroutside of the storage case. The auxiliary storage may be in the form ofa secondary case for the securement of a pager, cell phone, I-pod, etc.Further, the auxiliary storage pockets may be adapted to secure at leastone CD or DVD for use with the stored electronic device.

It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a storage casethat is adapted to receive various electronic devices. Morespecifically, one embodiment of the present invention is adapted to liegenerally flat when no items are stored therein, wherein an innersurface of the front panel and an inner surface of the back panel areoperatively engaged. A storage device is provided that possesses athickness less than the item being stored. In order to store an itemwithin the case, the front panel and the back panel are deflected toprovide a storage area for the receipt of an electronic device, forexample. The front panel and rear panel are then released to conform tothe items being stored. This embodiment of the present invention has theadvantage of being relatively thin when no items are stored therein,thereby facilitating storage and packaging of the storage case.

It is yet another aspect of the present invention to provide at leastone handle or strap interconnected to the storage case to allow users toeasily carry the case.

The Summary of the Invention is neither intended nor should it beconstrued as being representative of the full extent and scope of thepresent invention. The present invention is set forth in various levelsof detail in the Summary of the Invention as well as in the attacheddrawings and the Detailed Description of the Invention and no limitationas to the scope of the present invention is intended by either theinclusion or non-inclusion of elements, components, etc. in this Summaryof the Invention. Additional aspects of the present invention willbecome more readily apparent from the Detail Description, particularlywhen taken together with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention andtogether with the general description of the invention given above andthe detailed description of the drawings given below, serve to explainthe principles of these inventions.

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a stretchable notebook computercase in accordance with embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the invention illustrated in FIG.1, shown in a partially open position;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the invention illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a front elevation view of the invention illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the invention illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a right elevation view of the invention illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a rear elevation view of the invention illustrated in FIG. 1;and

FIG. 8 is a left elevation view of the invention shown in FIG. 1.

It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale.In certain instances, details that are not necessary for anunderstanding of the invention or that render other details difficult toperceive may have been omitted. It should be understood, of course, thatthe invention is not necessarily limited to the particular embodimentsillustrated herein.

To assist in the understanding of the present invention, the followinglisting of components and associated numbering found in the drawings isprovided herein:

# Component 100 case 104 back panel 108 front panel 204 upper frontpanel 208 lower front panel 210 opening 212 upper front panel flap 216lower front panel flap 220 top end 224 bottom end 228 lining

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to FIGS. 1-8, a storage case in accordance with theembodiments of the present invention is generally identified byreference numeral 100. The case 100 includes a plurality of walls orpanels adapted to enclose a square or rectangular object. Preferably,embodiments of the present invention are adapted to enclose a notebookcomputer. However, it is contemplated that other items such as digitalmusic players, CD players, tape players, games, etc., may also be allmodeled by cases similar to those provided herein. In accordance withembodiments of the present invention, the panels of the storage case aremade from a stretchable compliant material. The stretchable compliantmaterial may also provide a cushion for an object contained in the case.Additionally, the stretchable compliant material deforms, allowing entryof the object into the interior of the case 100. After the object isstored, the stretchable compliant material will conform to the object.

Embodiments of the present invention include a back panel 104 and afront panel 108. Together, the back panel 104 and the front panel 108define the storage volume of the case. The back panel 104 and the frontpanel 108 may be sewn or otherwise interconnected to each other alongthe perimeters of the front 108 and back 104 panels.

As an alternative to sewing, other interconnection mechanisms such asadhesive, head welding, snaps, clasps, Ziplocs, etc. may be used. In yetanother alternative embodiment, the front 108 and back 104 panels may bepart of the same continuous piece of material.

The front panel 108 includes an upper front panel 204 that overlaps alower front panel 208. In use, the upper front panel 204 and the lowerfront panel 208 are separated to form an opening 210 in the case 100through which an object may be placed inside the case 100. To facilitateinsertion, the front panel 108 stretches to allow the opening 210 toexpand. As the opening 210 expands, an object, such as a notebookcomputer, is more easily accommodated.

After the object is inserted, the upper front panel 204 and lower frontpanel 208 are generally engaged, wherein the upper front panel 204 andthe lower front panel 208 panel overlap. In particular, both the upperfront panel 204 and the lower front panel 208 each include anunconnected portion or flap. In the closed position, the upper frontpanel flap 212 overlaps or extends over a portion of the lower frontpanel 208, including the lower front panel flap 216. Preferably, thelower front panel flap 216 extends underneath a portion of the upperflap panel 204, one of skill in the art will appreciate that the reverseis possible

In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, the upper frontpanel 204 is smaller than the lower front panel 208. In this regard, theopening of the case 100 is disposed in a position closer to the top end220 of the case 100. In accordance with an alternative embodiment of theinvention, the upper front panel 204 and the lower front panel 208 arethe same size. Here, the opening 210 of the case 100 is disposed at amidway point between the top end 220 and the bottom end 224 of the case100. In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention,the upper front panel 204 is larger than the lower front panel 208.Here, the opening 210 of the case 100 is disposed in a position closerto the bottom end 224 of the case 100.

In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, a lining 228may be included along the perimeter of the opening 210. Here, the lining228 is disposed on the ends of both of the upper front panel flap 212and the lower front panel flap 216. In order to distinguish the opening210 from other parts of the case 100, the lining 228 may include adifferent color, material, or texture than that of the remainder of thecase 100.

In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, the case 100 isreversible. In particular, the stretchable compliant material, of whichthe case 100 is made, allows the case 100 to be reversed or turnedinside out. Preferably, the case 100 includes different colors, a firstcolor associated with the outward facing side of the case 100 and asecond color associated with the inward facing side of the case 100. Inthat regard, reversing the case 100 causes the second color to bedisplayed on with the outside of the case 100.

Embodiments of the present invention are sewn together with knowntechniques and employ lycra, closed cell foam, low-density brushedlycra, nylon, and other material that may be water-resistant orwater-proof.

While various embodiments of the present invention have been describedin detail, it is apparent that modifications and alterations of thoseembodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. However, it is to beexpressly understood that such modifications and alterations are withinthe scope and spirit of the present invention, as set forth in thefollowing claims.

1. A storage case adapted to receive a rectangular object, comprising: aback panel comprised of a stretchable, compliant material; a front panelcomprised of a stretchable, compliant material interconnected to theback panel, the front panel including a upper front panel and a lowerfront panel; and wherein the upper front panel may be separated from thelower front panel to form an opening the case to provide a conformingstorage area for said rectangular object, and wherein with the openingclosed the upper and lower front panels overlap.
 2. The storage case ofclaim 1 wherein said front panel and back panel are in operativeengagement when the storage case is empty.
 3. The storage case of claim1 wherein said front panel and back panel are sufficiently resilient toaccommodate a plurality of electronic devices.
 4. The storage case ofclaim 1 wherein said conforming storage area is adapted to receive atleast one of a computer, music player, radio, MP3 player, digital musicplayer, TV, cell phone, dictaphone, and a pager.
 5. The storage case ofclaim 1 further comprising at least one auxiliary pocket integrated toat least one of said front panel and said back panel for receipt of atleast one of a compact disk, a picture, a business card, and anelectronic device.